Dearest Harry,

I love you. I know this will hurt for you to be reading this but you need to know that both your father and I love you so much, so much that you will only truly understand until you have the blessing of your own children.

I hope that we are still with you in this world when you read this, but something inside of me says different. I know this must sound morbid and I hate that I have to say all of this stuff but I have to say and write this now because I don't know when I will be able to do this next, so here is everything you need to know.

First things first, Voldemort is dangerous and scary but that doesn't mean he has to win. Me and your dad, along with Padfoot, Moony, Dumbledore and some others, are part of something called the Order of the Phoenix. We are an organisation that Dumbledore created when Voldemort's dark influence on the wizarding world became dangerous. It's become almost overpowering, so much that we are in hiding, living in Godric's Hollow. I hope he doesn't find us, but if he does know this, don't ever give up and we will always be proud of you, no matter what.

Next comes something that you may not want to hear but you need to know this – know that if it wasn't completely necessary for me to tell you this, I wouldn't tell you this. Severus Snape is a potions teacher at Hogwarts, we grew up together and there was a time I thought I loved him. I know that he loves me and a part of me thinks that he still does, even though I have been married to your dad for some years now. Because of his love he may be spiteful or mean to you more than other students when you get to Hogwarts (and I know you will, trust me), but know that it isn't because of you and it will pain him to look at you and be able to see my eyes looking back at him. I hope he won't be too mean but he may get better.

No one really knows Dumbledore, he's a very private man, but trust what he says because in the end it will work out. Padfoot (Sirius) is your godfather. He has been your father's best friend for too many years to even count and he loves you just as much as me and your father do. I know the idea of godparents seems very traditional but I hate the idea of something happening to you and just knowing that there will be someone to help you and support you and love you if me and your dad don't make it through this war then that will be a huge comfort.

Don't be afraid, do me that one favour. Life is hard and difficult and sometimes it is hard to keep going and not give up, but know that if you keep going then you will be stronger because of it. Life won't let you hide away from it and it will find you; so embrace life when it comes and don't be afraid of change because it isn't always bad. Don't alienate your friends because that could be your downfall. Life can be difficult and stressful enough but without friends and people you trust then it will just make life harder – why make harder for yourself.

There are some people in this world that you won't to avoid at all costs but please, people can change so be willing to change your mind as well. Inheritant and unrelenting evil is something rare indeed but don't confuse unhappiness and ignorance for evil and bullying. Almost everyone deserves a second chance and always think about when you're having a difficult time, you would want someone to be kind and give you that second chance when maybe you might not have shown anything to deserve it. But people change and most deserve that chance to turn their life around.

Never let anyone change who you are when you don't want to change. But don't close your mind to an alternative viewpoint. I know this seems an odd and contradictory thing to say but once you've studied people for long enough you start to see the versatility and uniqueness of humans which need to take precedence sometimes over what you may otherwise think/do.

Last of all, be yourself. Don't let others control your life, don't let them control you and don't try and control others. I hope that one day the world will be in perfect harmony but if that doesn't happen then at least there is a chance that your own world will be in harmony, even if it isn't in harmony with the rest of the world all of the time, know that you've tried your best and that is all me and your dad could ever want from you.

You, Harry James Potter, are brave, courageous and I have no doubt that you will become a great man, just like your father. I hope that we get to see you grow up but not everyone can have everything and Voldemort seems to be unrelenting in his quest for dominance so remember this: We love you.

Love Mum

xxxxxx